Car NEWS log

posted by admin on Jan 24

Robert Nardelli, Chrysler CEO, spoke to the Automotive News World Congress last night in Detroit’s iconic Renaissance Center. He didn’t say much that he hasn’t said before but did hit on the following points:

• Chrysler plans to set up “Centers of Excellence” in foreign countries, combining design, engineering and maybe manufacturing into global regions, beginning with Mexico and China. Nardelli stated that, “it’s very important to be insular.”
• The importance and advantages of being private. Chrysler is attempting to transition from being just another division of Daimler to an iconic, brand driven company. Mr. Nardelli razed the name of Harley-Davidson as an example of the power of a private company, even joking that he would get a Pentastar tattoo. He stated that, “The job of bringing back ‘The New Chrysler’ is an opportunity of a lifetime.”
• He also reaffirmed the company’s move to invest $500 million in 260 product enhancements, as well as its new UAW labor agreement.

I’m actually starting to warm up to Robert Nardelli. The industry as a whole was skeptical of letting an outsider run the 3rd most important company in American automotive but I think it might be a good thing. I’ve worked in Detroit automotive and my general impression was that it needs fresh blood. Nardelli is stressing product and marketing, two things sorely missing under the Pentastar in the last few years.

Let us know what you think of Chrysler’s course in the comments

[Source: Detroit Free Press]